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Though it’s been over a year, the sudden passing of one of the greatest television presences of all time, James Gandolfini, is still a sore subject. Gandolfini would have been 53 today, and while we know him intimately as Tony Soprano — the dark, complex mob boss, with an undeniable soft side — Gandolfini delivered just as powerful performances on the big screen. Before he passed away, Gandolfini completed a number of projects including The Drop, released earlier this week. In the crime drama, driected by Michaël R. Roskam, Gandolfini plays Tom Hard’s looming, intimidating cousin, Marv, who also happens to be his boss and the main figure behind a money-drop robbery ring in Brooklyn.
Gandolfini was never one to shy away from hard-hitting supporting roles, which made him one of the most sought-after character actors on the independent scene in the late ’90s before David Chase got in touch with him about The Sopranos. Here, we explore Gandolfini’s most poignant film appearances, ranked by their dissimilarity to Tony Soprano, that remind us how mesmerizing he is every time he’s on screen.
'Enough Said' (2013)
Gandolfini plays Albert, a bumbling, recently divorced goof in Nicole Holofcener’s latest rom-com. He’s downright adorable opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in perhaps the most underrated comedy of last year. Masseuse Eva (Louis-Dreyfus) is introduced to Albert at a party. After going on a few dates, she starts to fall for him, but finds out he’s one of her best client’s ex-husband. [GoWatchIt]
'In the Loop' (2009)
In this indie political black comedy, Gandolfini plays Lieutenant General George Miller, a member of the Pentagon who’s trying to avoid war in the Middle East. Though he plays a decorated military vet, Gandolfini brings his bashful humor and gentle demeanor to the role of George Miller who’s vulnerable at his core and nervous about the future of his country. [GoWatchIt]
'Where the Wild Things Are' (2009)
You might have forgotten that Gandolfini voiced the gloomy, looming Carol in Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book. Moody, impulsive, and wholly misunderstood, Carol truly came to life for us who grew up with the book, thanks to Gandolfini’s soothing, genuine nature. [GoWatchIt]
'Lonely Hearts' (2006)
Gandolfini narrates and stars as Detective Charles Hilderbrandt in this indie period piece about the famous 1940s Lonely Hearts killers, who met their victims through Lonely Hearts newspaper ads. Gandolfini stars alongside John Travolta, Jared Leto, Scott Caan, and Salma Hayek in this noir-like crime drama. [GoWatchIt]
'Cinema Verite' (2011)
Gandolfini plays documentary producer Craig Gilbert in HBO’s fictionalized account of the making of An American Family, widely considered to be the first docu-reality series. Gilbert represents everything everyone hates about the falseness of reality TV — irking scenarios between his subjects and fueling the fire to situations that would have never been blown out of proportion otherwise. Gandolfini is truly captivating, and if we were his subjects, we’d probably go along with whatever he said too. [Watch on HBO Go]
'The Taking of Pelham 123' (2009)
This movie was kind of meh, but Gandolfini’s performance was without a doubt the most memorable part (aside from John Travolta’s strangely misplaced tattoos). Gandolfini plays the mayor of New York City, who’s reeling from a recent scandal in which he’s accused of cheating on his wife. Gandolfini’s no-nonsense demeanor in his role made us wish that he really were our mayor. [GoWatchIt]
'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)
This movie was also kind of meh (unpopular opinion, I know), but Gandolfini rocked it as the C.I.A. Director. We could feel his nerves and doubt bubbling up when they felt Abu Ahmed, their link to Osama bin Laden, was slipping away. [GoWatchIt]
'Romance & Cigarettes' (2005)
Gandolfini is front and center as Nick Murder in John Turturro’s ensemble musical comedy about the choices made within the downward spiral of infidelity. Everyone you can think up is in this quirky movie, including Ganfolfini’s The Sopranos co-star Steve Buscemi. [GoWatchIt]
'True Romance' (1993)
Gandolfini made a name for himself early in his career as a character actor, whose performances were almost unrecognizable from one film to the next. True Romance is one of those films. Gandolfini plays Virgil, a violent, terrifying maniac in Tony Scott’s and Quentin Tarantino’s gritty crime drama. [GoWatchIt]
'Killing Them Softly' (2012)
In one of his final roles, Gandolfini plays Mickey, a mob hitman unravelling at the seams in this dark thriller starring Brad Pitt and Ben Mendelsohn. Mickey is a tad bit how Tony Soprano might have been had he not tried to make things work with Carmella or his family. [GoWatchIt]
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